USD’s biggest problem before facing USF on Saturday night wasn’t figuring out how to stop the Dons’ dangerous 3-point shooting. It was identifying a starting lineup.

Second-leading scorer Olin Carter III was out with flu symptoms. Second-leading rebounder Juwan Gray tried to play, started but couldn’t stomach his own flu issues and was limited to five minutes.

Missing 25 points in average scoring, the result was predictable. USD struggled mightily offensively and lost to the Dons 60-43 before 1,730 at Jenny Craig Pavilion. The setback slowed some USD momentum. The Toreros had won three of four.

Now they’re 10-10 overall, 3-5 in the West Coast Conference. Up next? Fourth-ranked Gonzaga, at Gonzaga on Thursday. ESPN gives the Toreros a 1 percent chance to win the game.

USF improved to 14-7 and 4-4.

The Toreros’ offensive numbers were woeful. The 43 points were 29 shy of USD’s average. It was the fewest points USD scored this season. The previous low was in a 56-51 loss to New Mexico State.

The Toreros shot 31 percent from the field, 12 percent below normal.

The capper, though, was beyond the arc. The Toreros launched 17 treys. They made one, by freshman Jose Martinez, who came into the game 0 for 9 from the field.

Carter came up sick in Thursday’s win at Loyola Marymount and was no better by Saturday morning’s shoot around.

“This is sports. Those things happen,” said head coach Lamont Smith. “You would hope other guys would embrace the opportunity. (But) some of our starters no-showed.

No one scored in double figures for USF. Two players scored nine points, three added seven.

One positive for USD: the Toreros outrebounded the visitors 40-28.

“I put a lot of blame on myself,” Bailey said. “Being an older guy (the lone senior), I’ve got to get the guys ready.”

USD trailed 30-21 at the half. Twenty-three days earlier, at USF, the Toreros spotted the Dons a 51-28 halftime lead, rallied in the second half, pulled to within four with less than a minute to play before losing.

Saturday, there was no comeback. USF scored the first seven points of the second half and USD would never get back within single digits.